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Topic: beer smiith question about efficiency, (Read 560 times)

I know I'm probably going to get a speech about not 'living by the software" but I have a question. Here recently I've been fine tuning my efficiency and crush. Today's batch (ESB) I collected for a 2.5 gallon batch, 4.35 gallons of wort preboil @ 1.042 after mashing 5.5 pounds of grain mashed for 70 minutes then batch sparged.

My beersmith equipment profile has a total efficiency of 72%. with an estimated mash efficiency of 86.4%. Well, I think I have dialed in my system because todays measured efficiency was about 86.2%. I'm happy all around as I also hit all of my estimated gravity and volume amounts.

My question is about the "Measured Efficiency" amount. Today I got 111%. I don't understand this amount. Any input is greatly appreciated.

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Corripe Cervisiam

If I ever go missing I want my picture on a beer instead of a milk carton , I want fun people to find me

Please post your complete recipe with recipe detail and notes. This will allow us to better instruct you going forward. Aside from Denny ...there's no possible way for anyone to get >100% efficiency in any brewing process. Have you calibrated your thermometer and hydrometer, as well as your weight scale?

I think I have found at least part of the problem. I hadn't yet entered my post boil OG and measured batch size. I'm still whirlpooling at this point but my measured OG is 1.055. missed my OG by 5 points, I did a 90 minute boil and I think I may have to adjust my boil off rate. Had about 1.5 - 2 quarts more wort than I expected. I probably should have boiled it down a bit more but oh well. Anyway...

After entering my OG and measured batch size I got a measured efficiency of about 67%. Still not quite sure what this number means to my brewing.

I think I have found at least part of the problem. I hadn't yet entered my post boil OG and measured batch size. I'm still whirlpooling at this point but my measured OG is 1.055. missed my OG by 5 points, I did a 90 minute boil and I think I may have to adjust my boil off rate. Had about 1.5 - 2 quarts more wort than I expected. I probably should have boiled it down a bit more but oh well. Anyway...

After entering my OG and measured batch size I got a measured efficiency of about 67%. Still not quite sure what this number means to my brewing.

This means (assuming your weights and measures are correct) that you converted 86% of the theoretical maximum available starch into sugars in your mash. then you collected ~77% of that into your kettle.

This means (assuming your weights and measures are correct) that you converted 86% of the theoretical maximum available starch into sugars in your mash. then you collected ~77% of that into your kettle.

I don't think that's correct, based on what's been posted. With mash efficiency in the 80s, conversion efficiency was probably very nearly 100%, and lauter efficiency in the 80s. The knockout efficiency (is that what you'd call it?) is 2.5/3.0 = 83%, which is what drops the brewhouse efficiency.

Although 86% * 83% = ~71%, so even the numbers that Beersmith is giving don't seem consistent to me. But the bottom line is that your mash efficiency is normal.

This means (assuming your weights and measures are correct) that you converted 86% of the theoretical maximum available starch into sugars in your mash. then you collected ~77% of that into your kettle.

I don't think that's correct, based on what's been posted. With mash efficiency in the 80s, conversion efficiency was probably very nearly 100%, and lauter efficiency in the 80s. The knockout efficiency (is that what you'd call it?) is 2.5/3.0 = 83%, which is what drops the brewhouse efficiency.

Although 86% * 83% = ~71%, so even the numbers that Beersmith is giving don't seem consistent to me. But the bottom line is that your mash efficiency is normal.

I am very likely wrong and sean is very likely correct. So what's the difference between mash efficiency and conversion efficiency? I was under the impression they were the same thing.